My name is Joel Gonzalez-Santiago and I attend Elizabeth City State University. Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems major as well as a minor in Remote Sensing and Public Health; I am a student in Dr. Linda Hayden's program of Center of Excellence in Remote Sensing Education Research.

In sixth-grade teacher had also noticed the work I had put into my studies and recommended me to the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program at the school which sparked a variety of opportunities for me. The AVID program guided me in not only how to organize myself but how to learn more efficiently. Also with the program's recognition, it allowed me to be a more competitive individual. An acceptance into the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp introduced me to the STEM fields the summer before eighth grade. Traveling to a university and explore all the amazing fields of science and technology was quite an experience. That program only further influenced me to continue with my love for technology by applying and being admitted to Grassfield High School Governor's STEM Academy. This decision only amplified my passion towards the STEM field.

Currently, I continue to work with the field of STEM but through the business mindset. Therefore, still using all my past to further work on my current field of study. My thoughts are that my technological background will allow me to connect the multiple sides of a business to create a smoother working system. My concentration of Management Information Systems, zones into the aspect of technology in the business world. My minor of Remote Sensing allows me to connect the two worlds of technology and geological science together. This mix set of skills allow me to balance and understand the information received from my classes and experiences. A large reason I chose Business over a computer science major is how the difference major process information. While the science majors mostly deal with information that stays with the people who understand, Business majors must almost always translate information in a simple way to explain to a broad audience. For this reason, I can be useful in researching many different areas of study. I can evaluate data, convert it into useful information, and finally present the information. With these skills, I am determined to continue my education even more.

My future plans include finishing the semester and keeping an average above a 3.5 GPA. Furthermore, I would like to continue to my previous research and expand with more research topics in my field. To understand the interactions between technology and people to better performance and utility. My hopes are that the internships I apply for will help me study for the research or give me even more ideas for research. After my four years at Elizabeth City State University I want to continue my education and acquire masters in geosciences. With my plans of furthering my own education I also hope to inspire my younger siblings to do so and display to my parents that their guidance has inspired me to complete my degree and more.